Here’s what to do if you slide off of a Montana road, highway or interstate

In the last week, we have seen how quickly accidents on snowy and icy Montana roads can quickly become tragic.  First responders in Butte barely avoided tragedy as vehicles responding to an accident on Rocker Hill were struck by out of control vehicles going too fast for conditions.  Motorists involved in a series of accidents near Frenchtown were not so lucky.  What do you do if you go off the road on a snowy, icy Montana highway?

STAY CALM AND ASSESS THE ACCIDENT

First of all, stay calm.  Take a deep breath and check to see if you or any passengers are injured. If there are injuries or you're in immediate danger, call 911 immediately. If everyone is okay, move on to assessing your surroundings.

GET YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS ON.

Your vehicle may be in a dangerous position where other drivers can’t see you clearly. If you turn on your hazard lights alerts others to your presence, you will reduce the risk of another accident.

STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE

If you are stuck in a ditch or off the road but are not in immediate danger (such as being close to oncoming traffic or in extreme weather conditions), stay inside your vehicle. It provides warmth and shelter. Exiting your vehicle in heavy snow, low visibility, or near traffic can be very risky.

CALL FOR HELP

If you have cell service, call roadside assistance, a tow truck, or emergency services if needed. If you're in a remote area where cellular reception is spotty or nonexistent, consider using a GPS emergency beacon if available.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE SEEN

If you have road flares or a reflective triangle, place them behind your vehicle to make it visible to oncoming drivers. A brightly colored cloth tied to the antenna or door handle can also help.

STAY WARM

Run the engine for warmth in short intervals—about 10 minutes every hour. Crack a window slightly for ventilation and ensure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Although every accident presents different sets of problems and challenges, following these steps can help you and your passengers stay safe until help arrives.